Uber die Theorie des Stosses zwischen Atomen und elektrisch geladenen Teilchen (Fermi, pp. 315-327) WITH Dispersion und Korrespondenzprinzip [Wentzel, pp. 306-310) in Zeitschrift für Physik 29, 1924

Berlin: Vieweg und Springer, 1924. 1st Edition. BOUND FIRST EDITION OF FERMI'S "VERY BEAUTIFUL & SUGGESTIVE" PAPER ON THE IMPACT BETWEEN ELECTRICALLY CHARGED PARTICLES & ATOMS (Bohr Quote, Stolzenburg, Emergence of Quantum Mechanics, 71). ALSO FIRST EDITION OF WENTZEL'S QUANTUM THEORETICAL TREATMENT OF DISPERSION. Volume bears the ownership stamp of Friedrich Hermann Hund, a physicist well-known for his work on atoms and molecules.

"In statistical mechanics [Fermi] had written subtle papers on the ergodic hypothesis and on quantum theory. [In this paper] he developed an original form of analyzing collisions of charged particles" (History of Science: The Wenner Collection). Here Fermi "attempted to explain the retardation of swiftly moving particles by resolving the electric field of the charged particles into its harmonics, then comparing it with a radiation field having a suitable frequence distribution" (Stolzenburg). As Bohr understood it, Fermi wanted "to develop a theory of the stopping of swiftly moving particles and of the ionization produced by them in which a mechanical description of the collisions is altogether disregarded" (ibid).

"[This paper describes Fermi's development of "the field produced by the charged particle by the Fourier integral and used the information from optical processes to determine the result of the collision" (Wenner) "[Fermi] compares the result of the interaction between the particle and the atom with the action of a number of harmonic radiation fields so chosen that the superposition of the electric forces at the position of the atom represents the rapidly changing electric field to which the electrons in the atom are subjected as a result of the swiftly passing particle. By estimating the action of each of these radiation fields by means of the laws holding for the absorption of X-rays, Fermi obtains values for the total ionization that agree with the experimental results in order of magnitude" (Stolzenburg, 71, 200). "This method was later refined and better justified on the basis of quantum mechanics and is generally known as the Weizsäcker-Williams method" (Wenner).

With respect to the Wentzel paper, this is Wentzel's quantum theory formula for dispersion based on the correspondence principle, not to be confused with Wentzel's theory of interference presented earlier in the same year. "In Wentzel's formula the resonance frequency in dispersion is somewhat different from the natural spectroscopic frequency and causes a dissymmetry in dispersion which Wentzel claims is supported by experimental evidence in hydrogen" (Bulletin of the National Research Council, Issues 51-54, 165). "Wentzel supports a point of view according to which the quantum-theoretical dispersion formula... must be regarded as a kind of distorted classical dispersion formula" (van der Waerden, Sources of Quantum Mechanics, 237). CONDITION & DETAILS: Berlin: Vieweg und Springer. Large 8vo. (9 x 6 inches; 225 x 150mm). Two small stamps on the rear of the title page as well as an envelope slot on the rear pastedown. Bears the ownership stamp (on ffp) of Friedrich Hermann Hund, a physicist well-known for his work on atoms and molecules. Hund "was a German physicist from Karlsruhe known for his work on atoms and molecules. Hund worked with such prestigious physicists as Schrödinger, Dirac, Heisenberg, Max Born, and Walter Bothe. He published more than 250 papers and essays in total. Hund made pivotal contributions to quantum theory - especially concerning the structure of the atom and of molecular spectra" (Wikipedia). Very slight ghosting at the spine from the removal of a spine label; small area blackened to match cloth. Regardless, a handsome volume solidly and tightly bound in black cloth over marbled paper boards; slight rubbing at the edges. Bright and very clean throughout. Very good condition.